Romanian Government Faces Crisis After PSD Ministers Resign
The Romanian government is facing a serious crisis after seven ministers from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) resigned from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s cabinet, depriving the coalition of its parliamentary majority and raising the prospect of collapse.
The PSD had until recently backed the government’s measures, while criticizing the prime minister’s efforts to implement budget cuts aimed at reducing the highest deficit in the European Union.
The Social Democrats plan to table a motion of no confidence and have not ruled out cooperation with the right, which is currently leading in the polls. Bolojan has refused to resign and said he would temporarily replace the departing ministers.
The developments risk triggering a political stalemate that could last for weeks or months. According to available information, such a scenario could jeopardize the country’s credit rating and its access to some €27bn in EU funds. It would also complicate efforts to reduce the deficit and stabilize public finances.
At talks on Wednesday with Romania’s centrist President Nicusor Dan, all four coalition parties ruled out joining forces with the opposition right but acknowledged that they had not agreed on a way forward for the government.